How to Choose Roommates
In terms of the comfort and quality of your life, a roommate is one of the most important relationships you may have. If you pick a roommate who shares many of your habits, you'll find living together extremely comfortable. Pick one poorly, and you may end up clashing over little things, which can turn the experience into a living hell. When choosing a roommate, follow a few common sense tips to ensure you find the right one.
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Instructions
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Advertise for a roommate in the newspaper classifieds or on websites like Craigslist. Include some basic data about your expectations and preferences (such as "quiet," "nonsmoker," "pets OK" and so on) to help establish some basic ground rules and eliminate the most incompatible people.
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Arrange for a meeting with any potential roommates at a central locale, such as a restaurant or coffee shop. Talk openly and candidly about your living habits and ask your potential roommate about his/hers. In particular, discuss work and sleeping schedules (to see how well they mesh), overall cleanliness, any allergies or medical conditions, social habits and expectations as far as television use, bathroom use and kitchen privileges. Also, pay attention to your own comfort levels with this person. Do you feel at ease with one another? Can the two of you communicate readily?
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Request references from your potential roommate and do a basic background check. You need to ensure that he/she has a steady job and can pay rent and utilities reliably. Call the person's former landlords or roommates and ask about his/her habits. The more you know, the better you can make a decision.
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After you have made your decision, wait a day or two before contacting your potential roommate. This helps ensure that you feel good about the choice and leaves room for second thoughts.
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Draw up a roommate contract stipulating expectations as they pertain to chores, sleeping hours and house guests. Include a clause agreeing to discuss any potential conflicts and covering legal issues such as storing drugs or dangerous chemicals in the residence. Also, add a clause covering any rules that your apartment or housing complex may have. Have all roommates (including you) sign and date the roomate contract. Though it may not be legally binding, it helps firmly establish the ground rules up front. Be prepared to be flexible in certain areas and accommodate your new roommate's wishes with the contract, so long as they don't cross any personal lines.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider carefully before taking on friends as roommates. Cohabitation can sometimes push friendships in unwanted directions, and good friends don't necessarily make the best roommates. You don't want to lose a friend just because you can't live together.
